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 161-006 Central Problems in Philosophy

Note

Formerly available as 161-108. Students who have completed 161-108 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Availability

1st year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Dr Bruce Langtry

Semester

2 (view timetable)

Contact

Two 1-hour lectures per week throughout the semester, and a 1-hour tutorial per week beginning the second week of semester

Subject Description

Is there more to a human being than physical mechanism? Are our decisions to act free? (If so, how do we escape the causal net which constrains the rest of the world? If not, can we really be subject to moral praise or censure?) Are there objective standards of rationality? And how do the answers Philosophy gives to these and other questions bear on the big question: does life have meaning? Problems like these are studied through the writings of classical and contemporary philosophers.

Assessment

Two essays, one of 500 words and one of 1500 words, plus regular attendance and participation in tutorials, and a 2-hour examination.

Prescribed Texts

Materials prepared by the department.



Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : Philosophy
Prev 161-005 Freedom and Constraint: Existentialism and Feminism
Next 161-007 Moral Philosophy: Great Thinkers
Status:                   Official 1999
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au